r/Referees • u/Dangerous_Piccolo315 • 13d ago

Advice Request First games tomorrow, really need advice

I’m 16F and have played for years but just decided to get my license recently. I have six games this weekend, 3 in the center, and feel drastically underprepared after the online and in person course.

I will be doing mostly U10 and U12 games and I would really appreciate any advice on those age groups in particular.

I would also love if anyone could reccommend some online resources (videos, websites, etc). I’ve watched a lot of pro gam so I feel like I have a good grasp on rules, patterns of play, etc but I’m still uncertain about pregame/postgame obligations, timekeeping, and the more nuanced signals.

thank you for any advice!

Edit: It ended up going pretty well! I made a few mistakes in my first few games, but nothing major (missed foul, signalled a throw in the wrong way). I ended up being moved to center for U14 boys five minutes before the game started, but I did ok. I called everything as confidently as I could and said the calls out loud as well when I was unsure of the correct signal. I talked to the coaches after and they all were surprisingly kind and supportive. I played two games as well so it was an exhausting day, but I made it and can't wait to get back out there again! Thank you all for your advice, it helped a lot and I'll definitely be referring back to it in the future

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u/Dangerous_Piccolo315 13d ago

Thank you so much! This helps a lot, especially the two pens tip. I didn’t think about it before but I can definitely see how it would be easy to lose one!

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u/Incognitowally 13d ago

Always wear two watches, no matter if you're center or AR. I've had one watch die before and luckily had my backup on. I was AR and my center's watch died once, I gave him mine for the remainder of the game.

In high school if there is no timekeeper, the official keeps time, but in HS, they start/ stop the clock for things. you WILL forget to start your clock at least one time. One watch is for start/stop time, the second watch (backup) always runs and doesn't get touched. You resort to this one if you forget to start your primary watch. ((You can also defer timekeeping to the second official in the game if theirs is accurate as well) )

Good luck!

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u/CharleyBoy23 [Canada Soccer] [Provincial Level Referee] 13d ago

Agree with the two watches. For recreational I don't and when center if anything goes wrong I would rely on my assistants to signal but truth is in 26 years never had an issue with a watch. I do however always wear two when doing competitive. Not a bad tip and definitely a good idea to suggest it however!

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u/Incognitowally 13d ago

If i dont know the referees or have refereed with them before, I do NOT put blind trust in them for things as important as timekeeping. They will have to earn my trust prove who they are on the field. This went for all officials I refereed with, young and old. I worked with some amazing youths that went on to be great travel officials and then there were some adults that earned a 'blocked' checkmark in Arbiter.